Happy New Years!!!!

I wish all of you a happy and prosperous New Year. Where has 2009 gone??

Today, is our last knit group of the year. The group has started their second sock in the KAL. It is a toe-up sock using the Magic Cast On. We start a new sock every two months. Next sock pattern will be available end of February. It's not too late to join the KAL. Even if you can't join us for our weekly meetings, knit along with us. Just contact me at The Fiber Closet or leave a comment or request on this blog.

2009 has been an exciting year for both The Fiber Closet and myself.

• While a lot of retailers have been suffering, the Fiber Closet's sales increased by almost 40%. Thank you to all our customers. You all have become great friends.
• I became a new bride and have a wonderful new husband.
• The Fiber Closet participated in three successful Indiana fiber events and we plan to attend at least four in 2010. Our long range goal is to participate in one event a month March through October. We are on the waiting list for several events. If you know of any fiber events, please let us know.

We definitely will have our other weaving/craft room open in 2010. My husband, Mike, will also be setting up shop in part of the room. He is a well-know collector/seller of sports cards plaques and related supplies. He buys and sells sports cards and collections.

I am looking for new ideas for classes. Please leave comments and suggestions on this blog.

Have a great New Year's eve. Love you all.

Cheryl

Snow in Rockville

Yeah! I awoke to a small dusting of snow. It is just enough to get one into the spirit of the Holidays.

In the mail today, I received great News from Mountain Colors. They were inspired by a new book called Not My Daughter that is coming out January 5, 2010. In conjunction with this book, they have designed a new Colorway called Spring Eclipse. Working with the publisher, Doubleday, they have created special yarn tags that talk about the book and the yarn. I have a yarn sample of the Spring Eclipse and one of the tags. Check out Mountain Colors at http://www.mountaincolors.com/ and the author, Barbara Delinsky at http://barbaradelinsky.com/. Mountain Colors is also introducing a new sock yarn, Crazyfoot. Crazyfoot is a 90% Superwash Merino and 10% Nylon with lots of twist. Skeins are 440 yards giving you plenty of yarn for a pair of socks. I plan on ordering some of both yarns. Let me know if you need a certain colorway or amount so I am sure to have it in stock.

Today, I sent out a new schedule to all of you who have signed up for our Newsletters. The Fiber Closet has new social groups and new hours for some of our old ones. Every Tuesday is now going to be spinning and weaving day. Thursdays will be knitting and rug hooking. I added a new knitting session (10 AM-1 PM) and added an hour to The Sweater Girls (3-6 PM). Also, changed the Rug Hooking Group to weekly on Thursdays from 1-3 PM. We will be spinning every Tuesday morning and weaving in the afternoons.

Lady is still making great progress. I finished the fingerless mitts that I was making for Mike's sisters. I will post them on my Facebook album and on Ravlery. Mike is now retired and will be in Rockville more often. Yeah!

Sock KAL

Check out our progress.

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Sock KAL

The Sweater Girls AKA the Thursday Knit Group have almost completed their first sock KAL. Sharon is getting ready to kitchener the toes of her socks. Sharon is our left-handed knitter and has successfuly figured out how to knit two socks on two circular needles.

The group has decided that they want to do a toe-up sock on two circulars for their next KAL. The next pattern will be passed out the last week of December.

The Sock KAL is open to everyone. Only requirement to receive the pattern is that the yarn must be purchased from The Fiber Closet. Of course, we would all love for you to join us on Thursdays from 4-6 PM. Would love for you to post your sock pictures on this Blog or on our Ravelry Group, The Sweater Girls.

Thursdays from 4-6 PM everything is 10% off, unless it is already discounted. Remember books are always 25% off.

Black Friday Sale @ The Fiber Closet

One item 40% off. Does not include looms or wheels. Choose from Lots of luxury yarns, books, needles & notions.






Enjoyed a wonderful first Thanksgiving with Mike.-

Hope to see you soon.Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Arrivals Scheduled for This Week

addi Clicks

Jojoland Pattern Swirl

Jojoland Pattern Autumn

Serendipity 10" Knitting Needles and Scarf Pins should arrive soon.

Barbara's Sundae Best

When the shipment arrived, Barbara fell in love with Berroco's Sundae yarn. The picture shows her recent projects: Danielle Hood from Berroco #287 and Wrenna from the book, "French Girl Knits"

Thursday Sweater Girls Knitting

Join the knitting group at 4 PM this afternoon. We have started a sock KAL. I have chosen Crystal Palace Bamboo Cotton in purple for my socks. I think the solid color will help bring out the diamond design. I am knitting two socks on two circulars.

Brown Sheep Trunk Show at the Fiber Closet

Everyone is invited to come to The Fiber Closet and check out the new Fall 2009 designs now on display. The designs will be at the shop until the middle of November when they will travel to the next Knit Shop. There are vests, sweaters, cardigans, hat, scarf, children's clothes, etc., for your viewing and touching pleasure.

Why I Learned to Knit

My Mother was an avid crocheter. I attempted to learn crochet from her but I am sure that most of you can relate to mother/daughter learning sessions. It did not go well. I couldn't please her. Nothing I did was correct.

My Aunt Ione lived many miles away. She was a Navy Doctor's wife and a nurse. She was very classy looking. I always admired her. She would send us knitted items. In my farm girl mind, I thought that must be what the classy ladies do. They knit!

Maybe I should knit. Mom doesn't know a thing about knitting and, therefore, couldn't be critical of what I turned out on my needles. The next time we went to the big city and was in Sears, I bought a teach yourself to knit kit. Yes, 40 years ago Sears had their own brand of yarn and knitting supplies. The yarn was a gorgeous purple. It even had needles with it and a small accessory kit with markers, stitch holders, needle gauge, point protectors and pattern book.

I learned to cast on, knit and cast off. There was a pattern for a slipper in this Sear's knitting instruction book. I knit one slipper in garter stitch. That was IT! I was hooked. I taught myself to knit on circular needles. Yes, I did twist the stitch and ended up with a mess but I knew what was wrong. I started over and knit myself a skirt (lavendar) in the round. I made a matching vest. I had a thing for purples back then and, yes, I still do. I don't know where any of this first knitting is now more than 40 years later but it is all vivid in my memory.

Little did I know that some day I would be the owner a yarn store--The Fiber Closet. I have taught many others to knit. I have knitting needles in every size and shape.